• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.154-164
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• 2022

Understanding temporal variations in wildlife populations is a prerequisite for conservation planning of wide-ranging species such as tigers (Panthera tigris). We determined the temporal variation in abundance, population growth, and sex ratios at different age and sex stages for a tiger population in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, India from November 2007 to February 2011 using motion-sensing cameras. We identified 19 male and 21 female tigers from stripe patterns during 16,110 trap nights within an area covering 233 km². The annual abundance of the population varied from 34.9 (mean)±3.8 (SE) to 23.9±1.5, with a declining trend in the mean annual change of abundance (-12%). The density of adult females remained stable across the study duration, but the densities of adult males and non-breeding tigers fluctuated. The sex ratio was female-biased (0.58 males/female) for breeding tigers and male-biased (1.74 males/female) for non-breeding tigers. Our results reinforce the importance of long-term studies for monitoring the naturally occurring processes in populations to develop population indicators and identify reliable baseline information for conservation and management planning of populations.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2012

The tiger population that once inhabited the Korean peninsula was initially considered a unique subspecies (Panthera tigris coreensis), distinct from the Amur tiger of the Russian Far East (P. t. altaica). However, in the following decades, the population of P. t. coreensis was classified as P. t. altaica and hence forth the two populations have been considered the same subspecies. From an ecological point of view, the classification of the Korean tiger population as P. t. altaica is a plausible conclusion. Historically, there were no major dispersal barriers between the Korean peninsula and the habitat of Amur tigers in Far Eastern Russia and northeastern China that might prevent gene flow, especially for a large carnivore with long-distance dispersal abilities. However, there has yet to be a genetic study to confirm the subspecific status of the Korean tiger. Bone samples from four tigers originally caught in the Korean peninsula were collected from two museums in Japan and the United States. Eight mitochondrial gene fragments were sequenced and compared to previously published tiger subspecies' mtDNA sequences to assess the phylogenetic relationship of the Korean tiger. Three individuals shared an identical haplotype with the Amur tigers. One specimen grouped with Malayan tigers, perhaps due to misidentification or mislabeling of the sample. Our results support the conclusion that the Korean tiger should be classified as P. t. altaica, which has important implications for the conservation and reintroduction of Korean tigers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.54-55
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• 2005

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2022

Epididymal sperm cryopreservation provides a potential method for preserving genetic material from males of endangered species. This pilot study was conducted to develop a freezing method for tiger epididymal sperm. We evaluated post-thaw sperm condition using testes with intact epididymides obtained from a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) after castration. The epididymis was chopped in Tyrode's albumin-lactate-pyruvate 1x and incubated at 5% CO₂, 95% air for 10 min. The Percoll separation density gradient method was used for selective recovery of motile spermatozoa after sperm collection using a cell strainer. The spermatozoa were diluted with modified Norwegian extender supplemented with 20 mM trehalose (extender 1) and subsequent extender 2 (extender 1 with 10% glycerol) and frozen using LN₂ vapor. After thawing at 37℃ for 25 s, Isolate^® solution was used for more effective recovery of live sperm. Sperm motility (computerized assisted sperm analysis, CASA), viability (SYBR-14 and Propidium Iodide) and acrosome integrity (Pisum sativum agglutinin with FITC) were evaluated. The motility of tiger epididymal spermatozoa was 40.1 ± 2.0%, and progressively motile sperm comprised 32.7 ± 2.3%. Viability was 56.3 ± 1.6% and acrosome integrity was 62.3 ± 4.4%. Cryopreservation of tiger epididymal sperm using a modified Norwegian extender and density gradient method could be effective to obtain functional spermatozoa for future assisted reproductive practices in endangered species.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.128-128
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.128-128
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• 2005

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.171-173
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• 1998

A case of peritonitis caused by Actinomycotic spp is reported in a 12-year-old male Siberian tiger. Grossly, the mesentery was markedly thickened and contained numerous 1 to 3 mm diameter, white to yellowish foci. Fibrous adhesion showing tumorous thickening was also noted between the mesentery and abdominal organs. Histologicallyi the thickened mesentery and masses consisted of necrotic center with bacterial colonies surrounded by eosinophilic club (Splendore-hoeppli), neutrophils, macrophages, a few Iymphocytes and fibrosis. The bacterial colonies stained positvely with Gram's stain but were negative on acid-fast and periodic acid-Schifr method. Howeverr since the bacterial culture was not availablei the definitive causative agent was not able to specified.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.187-189
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• 2022

Nationalism can solidify national unity and ideology but sometimes causes conflicts in human societies. Interestingly, it affects tiger conservation as well. Collaborative efforts are imperative for tiger conservation due to their vast home ranges which cross political boundaries and the limited financial resources. However, tiger states have not shown substantial commitment to collaboration. The nationalism that is entrenched in tiger conservation provides a credible explanation for this passive collaboration among nations. One type of nationalism occurs within a country by favoring one particular subspecies over another. The other type of nationalism occurs when former range countries want tigers. Instead of contributing to saving tigers in current habitats, they are eager to bring tigers back to their political boundaries regardless of the tremendous financial resources required and the lower chance of success. Considering nationalism in tiger conservation, tigers, just like humans, may need a passport for a better chance to survive.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.89-95
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• 2005

Understanding of routes of migratory birds are important subject for conservation of avifauna. Korea Demilitarized zone (DMZ) is considered as one of the most important stopover for migratory birds that pass in the Korean peninsula. This region has been known internationally as an excellent nature preservation areas since 1953. Rare and endangered animal species such as leopards (Pathera pardus) and Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris) have increased in population. Furthermore this areas provide home for endangered migratory birds including white-naped (Grus vipio) and red-crowned cranes (G. japonensis). Recent satellite-tracked crane species has shown the importance and linkages between a small number of habitat sites in DMZ. White-naped cranes were satellite tracked 9 individuals spent 27-78% of their time in Panmunjum and 10-75% in Cheolwon. This signifies the rich feeding sites with relatively little disturbance thus making the DMZ extremely valuable as a stopover.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.141-154
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• 2004

Ovulid species were collected during the period from 1998 to 2004 years at six localities of Korean coastal area. Ovulidae in Korea was classified as 27 spacies in 11 genera. Twenty two species among them have never been reported in Korean fauna; Habuprionovolva hervieri (Hedley, 1989), Prionovolva brevis (Sowerby, 1828), P. pudica pudica (A. Adams, 1855), P. bulla (Adams & Reeve, 1848), Dentiovula colobica (Azuma & Cate, 1971), Pseudosimnia (Diminovula) punctata (Duclos, 1831), Pseudosimnia (Inflatovula) culmen (Cate, 1973), Aperiovula allynsmithi Cate, 1978, Primovula (Primovula) tigris Yamamoto, 1971, Crenovolva (Cuspivolva) cuspis Cate, 1073, Phenacovolva (Phenacovolva) Iahainaensis (Cate, 1969), P.(P.) subreflexa (Adams & Reeve, 1848), P.(P.) improcera(Azuma & Cate, 1971), P.(P.) weaveri Cate, 1973, P.(P.) poppei Fehse, 2001, Phenacovolva (Turbovula) brevirostris (Schumacher, 1817), P.(T.) fusula Cate & Azuma, 1973, P.(T.) dancei Cate, 1973, P.(T.) hirasei (Pilsbry, 1913), Phenacovola (Calcarrovula) longirostrata (Sowerby, 1828), P.(C.) tokioi Cate, 1973, and Volva volva habei Oyama, 1961.